Method of forming spiral or helical tunnels and sections therefor

ABSTRACT

A spiral tunnel liner is formed by precasting sections of the tunnel liner in concrete and then bolting them together to form the spiral or helix. Sealing and grouting channels are provided along the edges of each section which receives sealant and grout after assembly thus giving a completely sealed and smooth bored tunnel which can be constructed readily and easily behind the tunnel mole.

United States Patent 1191 Lennox June 11, 1974 METHOD OF FORMING SPIRAL OR HELICAL TUNNELS AND SECTIONS THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Richard B. Lennox, Winnipeg,

Manitoba, Canada [73] Assignee: Spiroll Corporation Ltd., Winnipeg,

Manitoba, Canada 22 Filed: June 29,1972

[21 Appl. No.1 267,576

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 3, 1971 Great Britain v. 32104/71 [52 US. Cl. 61/45 R, 61/85, 52/245 51 1111. C1 E2ld 11/08, E04b 1/32 58 Field 6: Search 61/4245, 84, 61/85; 52/245 [56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,881,421 10/1932 Coyle 61/43 2,305,112 12/1942 $6611 52/245 x 3,483,704 12/1969 Tabor 3,695,044 10/1972 Ho'shino 61/45 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 462.269 7/1928 Germany .52/245 555,952 4/1957 Belgium .52/245 Primary Examiner-.1. Karl Bell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stanley G. Ade

57 ABSTRACT A spiral tunnel liner is formed by precasting sections of the tunnel liner in concrete and then bolting them together to form the spiral or helix. Sealing and grouting channels are provided along the edges of each section which receives sealant and grout after assembly thus giving a completely sealed and smooth bored tunnel which can be constructed readily and easily behind the tunnel mole.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures METHOD OF FORMING SPIRAL OR HELICAL TUNNELS AND SECTIONS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the manufacture of tunnel liners, particularly tunnel liners built up from concrete sections:

Conventionally, cylindrical rings are formed and then are bolted together to form a tunnel lining ifsuch a tunnel lining is of concrete. Alternatively, of course, metallic liners may be used but these are relatively expen' sive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention consists of relatively small sections forming part of a spiral or helix which are bolted together as the tunnel liner is formed thus providing a complete concrete lining which is spiral in formation but is fully sealed and connected together when complcted.

The principal object and advantage of this particular method is that the sections can be readily manufactured away from the site under controlled conditions; the sections are relatively light due to the fact that they are relatively small sections thus enabling them to be bolted together readily and easily and are readily sealed to provide a completely sealed tunnel liner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithindescribed which includes grouting and sealing channels along the edges thereof, said channels being sealed with grout or sealing material as each section is bolted into place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the connection of one section to the other is easily accomplished by simple bolt and nut means or other similar methods.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which eliminates the need for tunnel shoring as the sections can be bolted one to the other immediately behind the tunnel mole.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in in construction, economical in manufacture and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tunnel liner formed with the sections of the present invention and shown in reduced scale.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one of the sections. FIG. 3 is an elevation of one of the connecting plates.

FIG. 4 is afragmentary section of a part of the section of FIG. 2 showing the grouting channels.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the connecting bolts. a

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference character 10 illustrates generally one of the helical tunnel liner sections. This section is formed with a radius equivalent to the radius of the finished tunnel and is provided with straight and parallel ends 11 and I2.

The sides 13 and 14 curve to one side from a corner 15 towards the corner 16, both sides 13 and 14 being parallel so that the section forms part of a spiral or helix which in turn forms the completed tunnel liner shown in FIG. 1.

Bolts 17 are embedded within the side edge 13 during the manufacture of the section 10 and cut-out portions 18 are provided within the other edge 14 and ends 11 and 12 so that connecting plates 19 can be installed during the manufacture of the sections 10.

These connecting plates 19 are substantially rectangular in configurationand are provided with an aperture 20 therein. Steel strips 2I'are welded to opposite side edges of the connector 19 and extend outwardly thereof, said strips being embedded within the concrete during the manufacture of the sections 10 thus holding the connectors firmly in the desired location when the section has been manufactured.

Ends 11 and 12 and sides 13 and 14 are provided with a pair of spaced and parallel keyways 22 and 23, the keyway 22 being for a flexible chemically curing sealant and keyway or grout channel 23 being for concrete grout.

The sections are manufactured in moulds so that all sections are similar insofar as dimensions and fittings are concerned.

In operation, a first section 10 is placed in position whereupon a second section 10A is offered up as stances the side edge 13 of section 10F now abuts and partially overlaps the side edge 14 of section 10. In other words the sections are staggered one with the other insofar as the side to side relationship is concerned. The bolts 17 extending from section 10F engage through connecting plates l9 provided on the side 14 of section 10 and nuts (not illustrated) connect them together. Once again all sealant and grout channels are filled and the excess removed.

It will of course be appreciated that tunnel liner of varymg diameters can be formed depending upon the initial radius of the sections 10. Furthermore, small hollow cores (not illustrated) can also be precast in predetermined positions allowing for posttensioning where desirable.

Needless to say the position of the locking plates and bolts can be varied depending upon design parameters and, of course, it will be appreciated that installation of the sections is easily undertaken because of their relatively small size and relatively light weight. Erection of the sections 10 may be achieved by means of an articulated boom on a small tractor utilizing a vacuum lifting pad designed to conform to the curvature of the unit. However, as such units are readily available, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate same.

The finished tunnel wall will be superior to other types of wall due to the corrosion resistance of the concrete and the higher quality of precast concrete products. The finished structure will, or course, be more structurally stable than other types due to the spiral nature of the construction pattern and the continuous seal resulting from this design.

Various modifications may be constructed or performed within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Therefore what has been set forth is intended to illustrate such concept and is not for the purpose of limiting protection to any herein particularly described embodiment thereof.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A helical or spiral tunnel liner comprising in combination a plurality of precast concrete helical sections, each said section including a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof ineluding recesses formed in the ends of said sections, apertured plates cast in place across said recesses in said sections, the plates on the end of one section mating with the plates on the end of the adjoining section, and fastening means extending through the apertures in said mating plates.

2. The tunnel liner according to claim 1 in which said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof includes recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said sides engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means'engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.

3. The tunnel liner according to claim 1 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.

4. The tunnel liner according to claim 2 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.

5. A helical or spiral tunnel liner comprising in combination a plurality of precast concrete helical sections, each said section including a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved, to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof including recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said side engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.

6. The tunnel liner according to claim 5 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.

7. A precast concrete section for use in the formation of spiral tunnel liners, said section comprising in combination a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved, to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof including recesses formed in the ends of said sections, apertured plates cast in place across said recesses in said sections, the plates on the end of one section mating with the plates on the end of the adjoining section, and fastening means extending through the apertures in said mating plates.

8. The section according to claim 7 in which said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof includes recesses formed in one of said sides,

apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said sides engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.

9. The section according to claim 7 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.

10. The section according to claim 8 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.

11. A precast concrete section for use in the formation of spiral tunnel liners, said section comprising in combination a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved, to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof including recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said sides engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.

12. The section according to claim 11 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section. 

1. A helical or spiral tunnel liner comprising in combination a plurality of precast concrete helical sections, each said section including a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof including recesses formed in the ends of said sections, apertured plates cast in place across said recesses in said sections, the plates on the end of one section mating with the plates on the end of the adjoining section, and fastening means extending through the apertures in said mating plates.
 2. The tunnel liner according to claim 1 in which said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof includes recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said sides engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.
 3. The tunnel liner according to claim 1 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.
 4. The tunnel liner according to claim 2 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.
 5. A helical or spiral tunnel liner comprising in combination a plurality of precast concrete helical sections, each said section including a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved, to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof including recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said side engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.
 6. The tunnel liner according to claim 5 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.
 7. A precast concrete section for use in the formation of spiral tunnel liners, said section comprising in combination a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved, to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof including recesses formed in the ends of said sections, apertured plates cast in place across said recesses in said sections, the plates on the end of one section mating with the plates on the end of the adjoining section, and fastening means extending through the apertures in said mating plates.
 8. The section according to claim 7 in which said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof includes recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said sides engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.
 9. The section according to claim 7 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.
 10. The section according to claim 8 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section.
 11. A precast concrete section for use in the formation of spiral tunnel liners, said section comprising in combination a pair of spaced and parallel ends and a pair of spaced and parallel sides, said sides being curved, to form part of a spiral, means to join adjacent sections by the ends thereof in end to end relationship and means to join adjacent sections by the sides thereof in spiral staggered relationship, said means to join adjacent sections together by the sides thereof including recesses formed in one of said sides, apertured plates cast in place and spanning said recesses, bolts cast in place in the other of said sides engaging the apertured plates of the adjacent section and means engaging said bolts to clamp said sections together.
 12. The section according to claim 11 which includes sealant and grouting keyways formed around all four sides of each section. 